Commissioner of Insurance: Goodwin ahead of 2 others

Democrat Wayne Goodwin was leading a field of three candidates seeking to replace longtime Insurance Commissioner Jim Long. In unofficial returns, with 78 counties reporting, Goodwin was ahead 51.3 percent to 44.9 percent for Republican John Odom, according to the State Board of Elections.

Goodwin, a former state legislator, served as a deputy to Long. Odom is a former Raleigh City Council member who owns auto-repair businesses.

The insurance market on the state's coastal property was a major issue. The government-created insurance plan -- the Beach Plan -- was intended as a safety net for coastal property owners, but it has become the dominant form of insurance. It does not have enough funds to cover damage from a major hurricane. Both candidates offered ideas to head off this problem. Goodwin, 41, said he would examine Beach Plan rates for fairness and propose a new constitutionally protected catastrophe fund. Odom, 61, proposed charging higher rates to out-of-state residents who own coastal property.

Mark McMains of Fuquay-Varina, who owns an auto body shop and two towing companies, ran as a Libertarian. He had 3.8 percent.

GOODWIN

ODOM

MCMAINS

3.8%

78 OF 100 COUNTIES